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chairum

The world distilled in a glass

The Rum

Akal Chai rum is the world’s most sophisticated ultra premium rum. For the first time ever, it brings the tea master’s craft, the art of the parfumier and distillers skill together in a seamless marriage of disciplines and ingredients.

High altitude, single estate teas from India are precisely combined with aromatic, tropical botanicals & limited reserve West Indies rum, aged in bourbon barrels. The process is a trade secret & has been recognized as the first true innovation in rum production (Government of Trinidad & Tobago- “Ideas to innovation”). Production takes place across three regions of the world- India, Europe and the West Indies, the embodiment of a second “Age Of Discovery” through the senses - The world distilled in a glass.

Our History

From India to Miami, Chai Rum is traveling the world - one sip at a time

Uttar Pradesh

The AKAL family’s Indian origin

1651

Rum in the West Indies

1806

Tea Comes to India

1924

The founding of the Lion House

1920

The family trade: AKAL tea arrives in the West Indies

1963

Kiran Shiva Akal: The 5th Generation

2014 Present

Rum’s second golden age begins

2013

The bridge to Massachusetts rebuilt: John Fleming

Kiran Shiva Akal

With a creative career that includes work for the governments of France (Bastille Day) and Spain
(World’s Fair); Consulting at Walt Disney and a writer/ artist agreement with Time Warner, Kiran was recognized as one of the 100 most creative people in FL 2012. He is also the winner of the Design Star of the Americas award from DCOTA in 2013. Kiran holds a degree in Medicine from Ireland.

John Fleming

Creativity and a diverse range of interests define John. Trained as a PAC in the field of spinal surgery John has designed medical devices which provide solutions to specific problems in this area. He has written a children’s book in his spare time which is due out soon. John co-designed a unique, portable architectural building which was successfully constructed in Trinidad.

The Akal family traces its origins to Uttar Pradesh India, the land of tea and spices. Of the Brahmin caste, the family’s origins predate accurately recorded birth records, making the exact date of origin impossible to pinpoint. This picture is the oldest existing photo of Kiran’s ancestors - his great grandparents Pandit and Soogie circa 1924.

Rum in the West Indies - 1651

Slaves in Barbados discover molasses can be fermented and the first rum is created.

Tea Comes to India - 1806

Although Maniram Dewan planted the first commercial tea plantation in rural North India in 1806, Sanjeevani Tea was used medicinally by the Brahmins throughout their history as early as 750-500 BCE.

The founding of the Lion House - 1924

The only example of Indian architecture of its kind in the western hemisphere, Kiran’s great grandfather constructed the Lion House entirely by hand as the matriarchal center of the family. The corners of the front balconies of the building feature two lions with the monkey god Hanuman in the center- These are the symbols of the “Lion House”. As direct descendant of this house, the crest found on every bottle of Chai rum is new interpretation that includes three mountain peaks representing Trinidad and Tobago and a scepter representing India.

The family trade: AKAL tea arrives in the West Indies - 1920

Kiran’s great grandparents establish a tea and dry goods depot in Chaguanas, Trinidad - the heart of the sugarcane industry in the Trinidad. Indian spices, teas, and other ethnic dry goods were the cornerstone of the business.

Kiran Shiva Akal: The 5th Generation - 1963

Kiran is a 5th generation member of the Akal family. He studied medicine at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and in a shocking turn of events switched career paths to become a creative director, moving on to do multiple world class events and artistic installations

The bridge to Massachusetts rebuilt: John Fleming - 2013

In a Chance meeting, Kiran immediately saw his passion for invention and adventure mirrored in John. Early discussion and casual collaboration lead to a formal partnership. John, a Massachusetts native, saw an opportunity to bring Tea and Rum back to their original home in the colonies.

Rum’s second golden age begins - 2014 Present

After the initial launch of Chai Rum, it was recognized as the first true invention in Rum production in almost a century by the government of Trinidad and Tobago (Ideas to Innovation). It garnered an extremely rare 95 points by the Tasting Panel of the U.S. at Wine and Spirits Show in Las Vegas 2014 and won taste of St Croix in 2016 in a blind taste test.